Wine Laws in Portugal | Portuguese Wine Quality System

The Wine Quality Systems (Wine Laws) in Portugal is evolving. Their current hierarchy is shown below in decreasing order:

Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC)
Indicacao de Proveniencia Regulamentada (IPR)
Vihno Regional
Vihno de Messa

Additional Terms:

Reserva
 Requirements:

  • A Wine must come from a single vintage, and
  • must have passed a tasting panel
  • If it is a wine with DOC Quality status, it must have a higher natural alcohol level than the minimum decreed by law for that DOC.

This information must be stated on the wine label.
Garrafeira In addition to meeting the requirements for Reserva.

Red Wines

  • Must be aged for at least 2 years in cask, and
  • 1 year in bottle

White Wines

  • Must be aged for at least 6 months in cask, and
  • 6 months in bottle